The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
These past 2 days after work, I've sewn up 4 tops. Last weekend, I spent Sunday cutting out a bunch of things, getting ready to sew them up. I like to cut as much as I can at the same time and make my big cutting mess in the dining room, put the room back together, and then go sew. This method also allows me to organize my sewing by thread color, so for instance, I'm working on all the things that are white at the moment. [I hate threading and re-threading a serger]
Not everything I make works, for one reason or another... in fact, I'd say about 70% works, the remainder either goes to one of my sisters or to the "goodwill" bag. The reasons that things don't work are varied: wrong fabric for pattern, too small, too big, not a flattering style, or not what I imagined. But it's ok, it's the process of sewing that I really enjoy.
Sew, for this week, so far, here's a run down...
The Good:
![](https://smvite.tripod.com/suesblog/twistedcollage.jpg)
Vogue 8582 with an assymetrical hem and a twisted neckband. I love Marcy Tilton patterns and this one is another winner. I've previously made it up in black and used a stretch mesh for the neckband, this time I used some white and the twisted neckband version.
Pattern is here http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8582-products-9970.php?page_id=866&search_control=display&list=search
For more inspiration, check out Marcy's website and her tee shirt gallery http://www.marcytilton.com/index.php?cid=194
you'll see how she incorporates different fabrics, styles, and ideas.
The Bad:
![](https://smvite.tripod.com/suesblog/hpcowl.jpg)
Hot Patterns Goddess tee, the cowl version. it's rather lifeless on me and just way too much fabric! It went together really easily and I love the way the back neckband is constructed, but it is just too overwhelming on me. This will be given to one of my sisters who I think it may look great on.
Recently, at Fabric.com, they had a huge clearance on Vera Wang fabrics from her Lavender collection ..... and yes, my stash grew during this clearance - at $1.98 a yard, I had to get lots. This top is made from the VW Lux stretch jersey a really soft fabric. Nice fabric, a little sheer and clingy, so I decided something less fitted. I should have made a cami as I first thought with this fabric. I prefer rayon knits for tees.
The Ugly:
I knew this was going to be bad because I wasn't sure of the fabric when it arrived, but I am committed to using my fabric even if I donate the finished item. The pattern, Kwik Sew OOP hoodie is one of my favorites (bell sleeves, tunic length, side vents), but the fabric. Eeek! way too LOUD. I bought this fabric online where I just saw a little scrap and didn't realize how much gold was involved. The fabric is a really nice terry fleece, beautiful blue, but I just can't do that much metallic!
![](https://smvite.tripod.com/suesblog/kwikhoodie.jpg)
This Kwik Sew hoodie is very similar to the BWOF hoodie in the December 2009 magazine which I did a few months back, but the front in the Kwik Sew is just a 1/4" hemmed slit whereas the front in the BWOF is an actual placket. Both are nice finishes. And if you wanted to make your BWOF easier, I don't see why you couldn't do this "slit" in the BWOF.
![](https://smvite.tripod.com/suesblog/bwofhoodie.jpg)
Here's the BWOF hoodie, also with Juicy Couture fabric, but not nearly as LOUD!
Posted by sue
at 10:52 AM PST
Updated: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:34 PM PST